The Department of Agriculture is stepping up efforts to boost chili pepper production and expand protcted farming to curb sharp price spikes triggered by weather-related supply disruptions, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said over the weekend.
Chili prices typically surge during the rainy season when heavy rains and typhoons damage crops. In September 2025, prices of local siling labuyo climbed as high as P800 per kilo following weather disturbances.
In a recent meeting with DA officials, Tiu Laurel ordered the establishment of baseline data on national and Metro Manila consumption, current output and average yields per hectare to guide planting targets and expansion timelines.
“We need to know how much we consume, how much we produce and where the gaps are. Prices go up when crops are damaged by rain,” Tiu Laurel said, citing the need for protected cultivation in strategically designated areas.
Officials said initial assessments show chili peppers can be grown in most parts of the country, not only in Bicol, expanding the base of growers under the DA’s High Value Crops program. For 2026, chili has been identified as a priority crop alongside munggo, or mung beans. The DA aims to stabilize chili prices and reduce import dependence for munggo.
The DA is supporting the construction of greenhouses using local materials as well as typhoon-resistant structures designed to withstand strong winds and prolonged rainfall to stabilize supply during the typhoon season.
The department is also expanding access to clean planting materials, including siling labuyo, siling pansigang and grafted bell peppers, under the Gulayan sa Bayan program. The initiative also supports agri-entrepreneurship in 1,370 municipalities.
Tiu Laurel said a more stable chili supply would help moderate costs for restaurants, food processors and retailers, especially during peak demand periods such as the holidays. He has also directed the DA to issue weekly public updates on prices and supply starting in January through articles and short-form videos to strengthen transparency.
The DA continues to monitor the prices of other vegetables. Bell pepper prices have averaged around P250 per kilo, while munggo prices have shown wide fluctuations, reflecting the impact of supply disruptions and import dependence.
